For more than 18 years now, the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture (BCFA) has had the opportunity to tour first year medical students around Bruce County. In recent years, the medical students tour has expanded to other county federations including Recent years have seen the addition of Elgin, Essex, Grey and Oxford.

Each year, Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, at its Windsor and London campuses, hosts Discovery Week to give medical students the opportunity to work alongside health-care practitioners and physicians in rural and remote communities and better understand what it means to practise there. Discovery Week is a unique learning opportunity that provides medical students with the chance to be embedded into the health care environment in communities across the region for a week, providing a first-hand look at the diverse experiences which impact health and wellness.

Students were provided the opportunity to experience a wide variety of farm operations while engaging in speaker presentations on key issues impacting agriculture. Counties showcased technology, innovation and visible hazards on farms, while leading discussions on farm safety, biosecurity, labour, and the importance of programs such as the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program and F.A.R.M.S.

Many tours included stops at dairy farms where students had the opportunity to try their hand at milking or view robotic milkers, witness how the farm operates and to interact with young calves. This supported learning more about livestock, animal care, and how important the role of technology plays on farms.

Another stop for the students was learning about field crops, grain elevator operations, the science used for growing field crops, as well as the importance of cover crops, soil health and preserving farmland. Students enhanced their knowledge and understanding of the value of farmland, cost of farm equipment, and the price of inputs such as energy and fertilizer.

Students were given firsthand experience of the size and mobility of farm equipment like tractors and combines by getting the chance to sit inside both pieces of machinery. They also learned about technology, road safety and some of its basic functions.

Arrangements were also made to have staff from local fire departments explain the importance of various equipment used during rescues, whether on a farm or in cities.

Each event featured distinct topics or farms from the local area. In Bruce and Grey, students heard from a farm accident survivor who shared his experience. In Essex, they visited an asparagus farm and an apple orchard. In Elgin, local physicians spoke after a tour of a farm market that included a strawberry tunnel.

Participating students came from communities across Canada, including Toronto, London, Windsor, Sarnia, Brampton, Mississauga, Ottawa, Belle River, Ajax, Arva, Guelph, Waterloo, Oshawa, Hamilton, and even Alberta and Saskatchewan.

These experiences highlight the strength of rural Ontario communities, encourage students to consider careers in rural areas, and underscore both the need for knowledgeable medical professionals and the diversity of agriculture-related health issues across rural Ontario.

Special thanks to our hosts and presenters:

• Bruce and Grey Counties – Ikendale Farms, Deimertdale Acres Ltd, Lang Farms Ltd, Sprucedale Agromart Ltd, Dr. Calvin Dietz, Dr. Kelly Haelze, Chris Palmer, Huron Tractor, Equipment Ontario, Brockton Fire Department. Bruce and Grey County Federations of Agriculture.
• Essex County – Amherstburg Fire Station #2, Josh Mailloux Pioneer Seed Rep., Lilac Row Farms, Wrightland Farms, Ballybright Farms, Foxland Jerseys, Cloverview Farms and the Essex County Federation of Agriculture. As well as a special thank you to the Rural Community Partner Project Funding.
• Elgin County – Howe Family Farm Market, Elgin County Federation of Agriculture, Dr. Anne Howe, Dr. David Graham, Randy Lowen.
• Oxford County – Oxford County Federation of Agriculture, Jan and Crystal Van Roekel, Dr. Jillian Ross.